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Oil Tanker “Dilysia – London”: Shell model in painted wood
A ship that furnishes the space before it even tells the sea’s story. Long, clean lines, a sharp bow, a vivid red hull set against glossy black sides; above, orderly ivory superstructures. The yellow funnel with the red shell signs the piece with an iconic, immediate mark.
The surface is hand-painted and shows small irregularities and light signs of use—details that convey an honest patina and set it apart from mass-produced ornaments. The wooden base ensures stability and invites placement.
A curious note: “S.T.S. Dilysia” is not the name of a real ship but a model plan by Vic Smeed (Model Maker, 1957), developed with Shell and inspired by the Shell tanker “Katelysia” of the H/K class (about 18–19,000 tons). Typical post-war layout: bridge aft, continuous main deck with central pipework, and two service masts. The original plan was 1:150 scale with an overall length around 94 cm; this example falls within those proportions.
It sits well wherever an horizon line is needed: on a sideboard, a shelf, beneath a painting, on a tabletop, as a focal point in a room, or in a study as a cultured detail. The black–ivory–red palette pairs naturally with dark woods, natural stone, and neutral walls, while the yellow funnel adds the accent that enlivens more restrained interiors.
A refined choice, also as a gift of distinction for those who love the sea or vintage graphics: a conversation piece that needs no technical explanation, because it works at first glance. Just look, and the room breathes differently.
In good condition, with minor edge chips and light signs of use consistent with age—details that enhance its character. Ready to place and enjoy.
- Material: wood, painted
- Condition: Restored
- Period: 1960s
- State: Good conditions
